Nicola Coughlan has opened up about her future in Bridgerton after confirming that she will have a reduced role in the upcoming fifth season.
The Galway actress, who has played Penelope Featherington since the Netflix period drama first premiered, admitted that stepping back from the show is “bittersweet” after what has been an “epic run” for her character.
However, fans of the Irish star need not worry just yet, as Nicola made it clear that she has no plans to close the door on the hit series completely.
“I’ll always pop back to Bridgerton if they want me. If I can be set dressing, I’ll be there,” she told E! News.
The news comes after Penelope’s story took a major turn in the fourth season, with her officially stepping away from her infamous Lady Whistledown column.
After her identity as the mysterious writer was exposed, Penelope struggled with the consequences of her gossip column and the difficulty of writing about the lives of those around her.
Ultimately, she decided to retire Lady Whistledown and focus on her life with husband Colin Bridgerton and their family.
But the famous column has not disappeared entirely.
The season four finale introduced a mysterious new writer who appears to have taken over the mantle, with Julie Andrews continuing to provide the iconic narration.
And while fans are desperate to know who is behind the new Whistledown, Nicola admitted that she is completely in the dark.
“They know not to tell me,” she said, adding that she is “genuinely” unaware of the identity of the new writer.
“I don’t need to know,” she joked.
For Nicola, stepping back from the show also means she can enjoy being part of the Bridgerton world without the same pressure that came with being at the centre of the story.
She explained that she still gets to visit the Bridgerton set while filming Only Murders in the Building, and enjoys the “lower pressure” that comes with no longer being the lead.
“It’s the best of both worlds,” she concluded.
